NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
The Victoria Falls City Council is pressing ahead with its plans to disconnect water supplies over unpaid bills beginning December 20 as it seeks to recover $500 million.
Mayor Somvelo Dhlamini on Thursday said the city desperately needed the money for service delivery.
“City of Victoria Falls wishes to notify its valuable residents and stakeholders that the water disconnections exercise of 20 December 2021 is a result of a Full Council resolution of 10 November 2021: 55/2021 aimed at recovering debt which is crucial for the delivery of services in the resort city, “ Dhlamini said in a statement.
Some residents and the Zanu PF local leadership have been campaigning against the pending water cuts citing Covid-19.
Zanu PF chairperson for Hwange Matthew Muleya has been using various social media platforms to criticise the council resolution disconnect water supplies.
Muleya also accused the council of being corrupt and mismanaging its resources.
Dhlamini said although the authority was aware of the adverse effects of Covid – 19 on residents, “the local authority is found between the rock and a hard surface as it is expected to deliver uninterrupted water services against a myriad of production costs.”
He said 2021 was a trying year for the local authority which at some point had power disconnected from its water production plants due to arrears.
Dhlamini said despite such challenges, the council remained committed to providing quality services to its residents and stakeholders.
“Council is owed over $500million, an amount that can be used in the quest to improve services and ensure residents continue to enjoy quality water services, “ he added.
“Council agrees that the community of Victoria Falls deserves quality and uninterrupted services and that comes at a cost despite economic challenges which inevitably have a ripple effect on service delivery.
“Residents and stakeholders are therefore encouraged to settle their bills or approach council for reasonable payment plans.”